The planned modular display counter, manufactured by Tecna UK, is versatile, easy to construct, highly portable and extremely durable with a very long lifespan. It packs away into bags for transport/storage and can be reconfigured or added to in the future. The counter has shelves to the back and the front faces are clad in printed fabric which is very hard wearing and has the added benefit of taking up minimal storage space when packed away. The fabric will be printed with our logo/graphics and branding colours.
Due to it’s portability we will be able to take the counter to other outside events and activities, further promoting the existence of the Quarry Café and the work of the Stone Quarry Crew.
We have worked extensively with Tecna UK to produce a functional design and with our plans to expand into hot food in the months ahead the counter will fulfil our needs. Additionally by freeing up the tables currently used as a counter it will enable us to increase our seating capacity.

What we'll deliver:

Purchase of a Portable Café Counter

Why it's a great idea:

As a once a week pop-up event in St Luke's Community Room we are endeavouring to make the Quarry Café and Quarry Youth Cafe look and feel like a permanent fixture. The historical expectations within the community are that projects come and then go when the funding ends, therefore the expectation for an activity to still be going after 6 months is low. Although we have attained significant results so far we are looking at how we can further convey our longevity to the community.
In the 8 months since we opened, the Quarry Café & Quarry Youth Cafe have seen a significant increase in the number of visitors. To continue expanding and providing for more of our residents we need to increase our volume capacity in the Café and build upon the trust that this is a long term activity.
We believe that the new modular display counter will not only increase our workspace, it will also provide a more solid and reassuringly permanent feel to the Café visitors.

Steps to get it done:

Ordering the equipment

Delivery and initial installation

Summary of the benefit of a modular display counter
Health and safety - avoids older customers and staff from stooping to serve/select products.
Reinforces SQC presence/branding.
Increases professional look and feel of cafe and reduces temporary feel of existing arrangements.
Meets portability and storage limitations inherent in the shared space of a community room.
We are alway looking for volunteer staff for the Quarry Cafe, feel free to get in contact if you would like to offer your time.

About the Project Creator

The Stone Quarry Crew is run by residents from the Stone Quarry Estate in East Grinstead. Our aim is to improve the quality of community cohesion, promote togetherness, tolerance and community wellbeing. We bring the community together for social events to reduce the effects of social isolation and ASB.

The Quarry Café opened for the first time in St Luke’s community room at the end of September 2017 to create a regular meeting place. The Quarry Café is staffed entirely by volunteers and is open every Wednesday from 10am to 6:30pm, at 3:45pm it becomes the Youth Café where all are welcome but focus is on the younger residents with various activities available.

The Café sources speciality coffee locally roasted to produce great coffee that’s worth coming out for, this is responsible for a high level of returning visitors and many will stay for more than one drink. This extends the time spent together and is effective in reducing social isolation and building community cohesion. Our similar quality hot chocolate is also a great incentive at the Youth Café and offered free.

The Café has been a turning point for the Crew, improving our outreach significantly. Attendance data for month 7 shows 165 visits (45 unique visitors), far beyond our projected results and proves the need for this valuable activity.